mummytravelshttp://www.mummytravels.com
Can you really keep travelling with a child in tow?Sun, 02 Aug 2015 16:55:59 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Family day out: London Wetland Centre, Barneshttp://www.mummytravels.com/2015/08/02/family-day-out-london-wetland-centre-barnes/
http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/08/02/family-day-out-london-wetland-centre-barnes/#commentsSun, 02 Aug 2015 16:55:59 +0000http://www.mummytravels.com/?p=11115I rarely return to places again and again. When there’s so much to discover, why revisit the ones you’ve already seen? But I’ve discovered that travelling with a child means you can discover the same place over and over as they … Continue reading →

]]>I rarely return to places again and again. When there’s so much to discover, why revisit the ones you’ve already seen?

But I’ve discovered that travelling with a child means you can discover the same place over and over as they grow and develop. Certainly when it’s somewhere as lovely as the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, handily just down the road from me.

On our first visit, Minnie was still newly walking and we had the place almost to ourselves on a chilly grey winter’s day. Second time around, she was almost two and the sun shone. Visit 3, earlier this year, Spring was just starting. And for our latest high summer trip, we’d timed it for the school holiday activities – and Minnie was also old enough to join in.

Honestly, the wetlands are always worth exploring. Whatever the weather or time of year, there’s something to see, along with the world’s cutest pair of Asian short-clawed otters which are a highlight of every trip.

There are gardens, bird hides (if you’re not with small children), open paths to run along, birds galore on the lakes and ponds, a bug hotel, always changing with the seasons – this time we saw cygnets and the flowers were in bloom.

And there are some great child-friendly spots. First, an indoor games room where all the activities have an educational slant – dam a river or divert the water in one, fire ‘poo’ (balls) and see how important protective reeds are in another, shoot water jets and revive endangered species for a third.

Then the Explore play area, which we discovered for the first time on this visit, with the usual playground options like slides, wobbly bridges, balance beams and ‘giant water vole’ tunnels, along with a splash zone if you want to cool off from the sun.

Or a giant snakes and ladders. This time, I won…

During the summer, there are several small food kiosks open as well as the main cafe (which does some very fine millionaire’s shortbread which I can rarely resist).

That’s before the activities. There’s usually something running throughout school holidays as well as some weekends, which we usually manage to miss by going on a weekday in term-time to avoid the crowds.

Last weekend, we finally got to join in. And despite being a glorious summer’s day, it wasn’t even too crowded. The wetland centre has introduced a ‘Nature Explorer’ passport with eight different activities to try which helps you discover the whole area.

You get stickers for each one you complete (which can be on successive visits) and once you’ve got the set, kids get free entry with a paying adult. Under-fours are already free.

However many you tick off, it’s a great way to help plan your visit. There’s so much to do in a day that we never get to all of it. This time, we spent five hours exploring and skipped whole areas that we saw last time, including most of the Pond Zone and the Wetlands of the World section.

But we did get to try pond dipping, scooping up a water snail or two, spotting a few tadpoles, pond skater and a surprisingly speedy damselfly nymph. Or possible a mayfly nymph. Thankfully there were handy pictures and helpful staff to help narrow it down.

Later, we joined in some crafts as well – leaf rubbing with crayons, which Minnie thought was basically magic, and making an impression of flowers and leaves on cloth. It was an extra pound to join in that one, wielding a fairly hefty hammer to thump the plants into the material, but all the rest are included in the entry fee.

And the otters. No trip would be complete without the otters. As ever, you’ve got to be lucky to spot them outside feeding time, but watching them glide through the water, dexterous little paws pouncing on fish and mussels, gobbling them up before squirming in the dust to get the water from their coats, was just magical – check out the video.

With quite a few stamps still to get, I can’t imagine it’ll be long before we’re back again.

Need to know
Prices start from £11.59 for adults, if you book online in advance, and £6.36 for children. Under fours and WWT members are free. Family tickets start from £32.32.

The centre opens at 9.30am year-round, with last admission at 5pm in summer and 4pm in winter. Closed on Christmas Day and some sections are shut during the winter months.

Maps are available to download online, with a walks and talks schedule also on the website. There are also special events throughout the year, such as the children’s night safaris in August 2015.

Disclosure: Our entry was free of charge for the purposes of review and to try the Nature Explorer activities. All opinions remain my own. Our previous three entries were paid for, so you can tell I’m not making it up when I say we love this place.

]]>http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/08/02/family-day-out-london-wetland-centre-barnes/feed/0Creating a memory jarhttp://www.mummytravels.com/2015/08/01/creating-memory-jar-travel-memento/
http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/08/01/creating-memory-jar-travel-memento/#commentsSat, 01 Aug 2015 18:12:08 +0000http://www.mummytravels.com/?p=11086I love a good souvenir. But that’s where my travel mementoes normally stop (along with innumerable photos, which intermittently get stashed into albums). I’ve never been one to make scrapbooks or memory boxes (though you might argue the whole blog is a … Continue reading →

]]>I love a good souvenir. But that’s where my travel mementoes normally stop (along with innumerable photos, which intermittently get stashed into albums).

I’ve never been one to make scrapbooks or memory boxes (though you might argue the whole blog is a sort of e-scrapbook). Tickets and scraps get stuffed into guidebooks, to give me a mini jolt of remembrance when I open the pages again. But organised? No.

So I rather liked the idea of thinkmoney’s holiday memories challenge, part of their jam j-art project, to see if it inspired me. One kilner jar, one staycation or holiday – ta-dah, one neatly bottled set of memories.

Minnie was hugely excited. Not just by seeing the otters at the centre (again) but by collecting odds and ends to stash away – and as soon as we got home, she grabbed all our souvenirs to pop them inside.

So… what went in? First there were the physical odds and ends.

We had collected a few bits of leaf and flower during various craft sessions (picking encouraged) so saved a few to pop straight in.

Then a map with information about our visit (in case I did forget where we’d been) and a Nature Explorer passport with stamps for the different activities we’d carried out.

And the results of the crafts themselves. A few leaf rubbings…

Plus a piece of material with the impressions of various flowers and plants – for now, Minnie’s creations either get displayed on the fridge or shoved in a cupboard, so it was nice to have a proper home for these.

Eagle-eyed readers will also have spotted a dinosaur sticker on the artwork – a memento of one slightly less tangible memory, as Minnie had decided at lunchtime that she was a diplodocus (so far, so normal – we had already been ladybirds and red pandas that morning).

Less usual was the fact that she then proceeded to eat about half my salad, despite a previous aversion to lettuce and leaves in general. Only time will tell if this herbivorous streak will be maintained… but I definitely felt it was worth recording!

And there you have it. One memory jar. She also took several photos on her mini camera so I may print one or two out and add that afterwards, but haven’t yet had chance to look through the memory card.

I’m not convinced we have the space for a kilner jar for every day out or trip, but it was a lot of fun putting it together. We chatted about what we might want to save, and I have a feeling we’ll be dipping back in over the coming days (and weeks?) to relive it all again.

Perhaps it’s time to start thinking about scrapbooks after all…

Disclosure: I was sent the jar and a contribution to the cost of filling it. All opinions and squashed bits of leaf are our own.

]]>http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/08/01/creating-memory-jar-travel-memento/feed/25 tips for visiting the Van Gogh museum, Amsterdam with kidshttp://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/30/5-tips-for-visiting-the-van-gogh-museum-amsterdam-with-kids/
http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/30/5-tips-for-visiting-the-van-gogh-museum-amsterdam-with-kids/#commentsThu, 30 Jul 2015 19:13:47 +0000http://www.mummytravels.com/?p=11079Whether you’re interested in old masters, modern art or something in between, Amsterdam has some incredible art galleries with the three big names around Museumplein. And if you’ve ruled out visiting them because you have kids, think again. You might not … Continue reading →

1. Get an I Amsterdam cardNot only is entry free but you’ll skip some of the queue to get in. There’s a separate line for card-holders, which was a lot shorter on our visit. Plus you don’t need to stay for hours to get your money’s worth (under 18s are free) – although there is masses to see if you can.

2. Keep your buggy
You have to leave large bags in the cloakroom before entering but buggies are fine – if you don’t have your own, they have ones to loan as well. This way, you needn’t worry about smaller visitors in the throngs around popular paintings, or tired/bored meltdowns as you whizz around. There are lifts between the floors as well.

3. Get a guideThere are audio guides for kids available in Dutch and English – the family guides are tailored for different ages and designed for six to 12-year-olds. I spotted quite a few younger visitors listening intently (and more than a few adults, as there’s a lot to learn about Van Gogh’s life and different styles).

4. Make a game of itThere’s also a treasure hunt kids can complete, with a small prize at the end. Minnie and I also created our own toddler-friendly version for two-year-old attention spans. At the entrance you’re given a floor map including collection highlights. Minnie took charge and had to spot each of the paintings as we walked round, which kept her entertained for at least 20 minutes. She was surprisingly good at it too…

5. Burn off some energy
The I Amsterdam sign is about three minutes away, towards the Rijksmuseum. The perfect place to run around before a nice quiet museum, or getting to climb all over it is the ideal bribe for afterwards.

Disclosure: My I Amsterdam card was courtesy of the tourist board. The decision to visit the Van Gogh museum, and to take a two-year-old with me, was my own.

]]>http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/30/5-tips-for-visiting-the-van-gogh-museum-amsterdam-with-kids/feed/4The beginner’s guide to travel with a babyhttp://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/27/the-beginners-guide-to-travel-with-a-baby/
http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/27/the-beginners-guide-to-travel-with-a-baby/#commentsMon, 27 Jul 2015 19:18:54 +0000http://www.mummytravels.com/?p=10970So many things are new when you’re a new parent, let alone the thought of jumping on a plane. And with so many people ready to say you can’t/shouldn’t/must be mad to even think about it, it’s not surprising a … Continue reading →

]]>So many things are new when you’re a new parent, let alone the thought of jumping on a plane. And with so many people ready to say you can’t/shouldn’t/must be mad to even think about it, it’s not surprising a lot are put off travel with a baby.

But I firmly believe the first flight is the hardest – not actually because it’s particularly difficult (in hindsight, travelling with a young toddler was tougher than a three-month-old) but because it’s a leap into the unknown.

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So don’t be put off – there’s a whole world to discover with your baby. And if you’re wondering just how to do it, what to pack and how to carry it all, here’s my beginner’s guide, a ‘travel with a baby checklist’.

Know before you go
Airlines will all have their own rules on luggage allowances, but infants are usually allowed to take at least two items (including travel cot, buggy, car seat) free of charge. They also have a small hold allowance, although not usually a hand luggage allowance.

Packing
If you’re going for a long trip, it’s not usually practical to take all the nappies and wipes you’ll need – but there are babies everywhere, so unless there’s a particular reason to stick to a certain brand, it’s often easier to stock up on arrival.

If you’ve got access to a washing machine, or even basic handwashing, take half as many clothes as you think you’ll need… plus some Vanish. And a few extra bodysuits.

Here’s my essential baby packing list. Don’t forget to keep spare clothes for the baby and yourself in hand luggage as often their sense of timing is less than impeccable.

Do save room for a first aid kit plus Calpol sachets in hand luggage when they’re above the minimum age.

If you’re travelling with younger babies, you can keep toys to a minimum – even just watching faces at the airport will be an experience. Fabric books, finger puppets and cuddly animals are great too, but avoid anything which makes too much noise. For older ones, here are my suggestions for toys to pack.

Food, drink and sleep
Babies and children aren’t subject to the normal 100ml rules, so you’re only restricted to what’s ‘reasonable’ for the journey – it’s worth packing slightly more in case of delays.

New technology at UK airports means you’re unlikely to be asked to taste food and drink any more, although it may still happen both here and overseas.

If you’re bottle-feeding, airports and planes have more facilities for warming milk so cooled boiled water and pre-measured formula is fine, or order premixed cartons in advance from Boots airside. If you can get your baby used to room temperature milk, that’s even better. Here are some of my other tips for flights if you’re formula feeding.

For older babies who are weaned, food pouches like Ella’s Kitchen are much easier to spoonfeed or suck out, weigh less and won’t break. Again, you can order in advance to pick up at the airport.

And sleep? On the plus side, the white noise of planes can often send babies right off to sleep once you’re on board. If you’re travelling long-haul, try these tips for combatting jetlag in babies.

Baby essentials
Always check with your accommodation before you travel to see what baby kit they have – travel cots are very common, albeit normally basic models and you’ll need your own bedding. Some hotels have a much more extensive range from baby monitors to black-out blinds.

Consider a lightweight umbrella stroller as a travel buggy once they’re over six months and don’t need to lie flat. My Maclaren Volo has travelled the world with us, complete with Buggysnuggle universal footmuff to make it a bit cosier.

You’ll be able to leave it at the gate or plane door, but often won’t be able to pick it up until baggage reclaim at the other side (often on the outsize belt), so a baby carrier or sling is hugely helpful. This way, you’ll have your arms free as you’re boarding and when you’re trekking through immigration at the other side. My favourite, again, was the Baby Bjorn including the Baby Bjorn One.

Baggage handlers are not known for being kind to luggage, and that includes checked buggies and car seats. Although you can’t do too much to protect them, a buggy bag is worth the investment.

The Koo-di buggy bag packs down very small and is impressively hard-wearing, or for something a big more structured (although not as long-lasting), I also used a Kiddicare Buggy Bag

One of my most useful multitasking essentials was a huge muslin. This doubled as a sheet, a blanket, a scarf, a sunshade, a towel, a breastfeeding cover – and a muslin, as well. Cuski muslins are incredibly soft and I’ve lost count of how often they were used over the first couple of years.

Lastly, a few tips for eating – if you have a microwave, steriliser bags are light, take up hardly any room and can be used more than once to sterilise bottles, dummies and teethers. Otherwise, sterilising tablets such as Milton are often simplest.

And once your baby is weaned and old enough to support themselves, a Totseat is an incredibly useful buy. Small enough to squash into a change bag, it works on any chair, so it’s also great if you’re eating somewhere which doesn’t have a high chair.

So those are my top tips for your first travels with your baby. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you’d like to know and I’ll do my best to answer.

]]>http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/27/the-beginners-guide-to-travel-with-a-baby/feed/8Family day out: Stourhead National Trust, Wiltshirehttp://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/26/family-day-out-stourhead-national-trust-wiltshire/
http://www.mummytravels.com/2015/07/26/family-day-out-stourhead-national-trust-wiltshire/#commentsSun, 26 Jul 2015 18:26:44 +0000http://www.mummytravels.com/?p=10925Sometimes it feels like there isn’t enough time in the world. And Stourhead in Wiltshire certainly deserves more than being a quick stop-off between London and Devon. But as it was perfectly placed to break up our journey, with a … Continue reading →

]]>Sometimes it feels like there isn’t enough time in the world. And Stourhead in Wiltshire certainly deserves more than being a quick stop-off between London and Devon.

But as it was perfectly placed to break up our journey, with a helpful café for lunch, gorgeous grounds to stretch our legs and more than enough to occupy us for a few hours, I’d chosen the National Trust property as our half-way point.

It’s not hard to beat a motorway service station, but we’d had quite a bit of success breaking another long car journey with a different National Trust property, Packwood House last year. So I was decided to make the most of my shiny new membership card on our last-minute weekend away to Brixham too.

We didn’t even get chance to go inside the Palladian mansion, although with a two-year-old in tow the gardens usually get more attention these days anyway. Although saying ‘gardens’ is underselling it – there are 2,650 acres of estate including chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland, plus the tallest oak in Britain at 40.4m.

The centre is a huge lake with classical temples and picturesque bridges reflected in the calm waters, as well as a long winding trail leading past lush plants and flowers down to the water. No wonder it’s been called ‘a living work of art’.

On the day we visited, there was a wedding scheduled in the grounds – even with slightly overcast June weather, it was hard to think of many lovelier settings than the waterside temple.

The map you’re given on the way in gives various different routes and trails, and if you have time, there is a path around the lake itself. Along the way, information boards tell ‘Harry’s story’, about the boy who grew up here before the First World War, and how that conflict changed Stourhead’s future.

There are tours and even an app to learn more about the gardens, along with the chance for kids to tick some of the 50 things off their list and family tracker packs.

You can also spot (or visit) St Peter’s Church and the Spread Eagle Inn, as well as an art gallery featuring work from local artists. Do bear in mind that the main café is outside the entrance, so it’s worth taking a picnic or planning your visit to avoid going up and down the hill at the start – there is also an ice cream parlour with snacks.Disclosure: My membership is courtesy of the National Trust. All opinions, choice of place to visit and ridiculous schedules are my own.